Anette visits with long-time friend and educational leader, Jay Barrett, soon become the principal of the new AmTech Career Academy in Amarillo ISD. Jay is an enthusiastic leader for other educators as well as for students, and he and Anette both serve on the boards of Amarillo College and the Community College of Texas Trustees together.

Educational Career

Jay has 36 total years’ experience in public education. He has been principal at Amarillo Area Center for Advanced Learning (AACAL) since 2008 and has served as principal in AISD for a total of 26 years, with stops at Forest Hill Elementary and Travis Middle School. He has also served as assistant principal at Tascosa High School and associate principal at Palo Duro High School. Before that, Jay taught English and coached tennis at Pampa after doing his student teaching in Rota, Spain.

In June 2021, Jay will become the principal of AmTech Career Academy

Recent Awards

2019 HEB North Texas Secondary Principal of the Year

2019 Elbert K Fretwell Outstanding Educator of the year by the Golden Spread Council of Boy Scouts

Community Involvement

Deacon, First Baptist Church

Amarillo College Regent

Secretary, Community College Association of Texas Trustees Board of Directors

Panhandle PBS Board of Directors

Amarillo College Foundation Board of Directors

Chamber of Commerce Governmental Advisory Council

Amarillo Police Training Advisory Board

WT Enterprise Center Board of Directors

Panhandle Workforce Development Board of Directors, Executive Committee

Amarillo Technology Initiative Board of Directors

Golden Spread Council, Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors

Maverick Boys' and Girls' Clubs in Amarillo Board of Directors

Co-Founder, Gateway to Health Careers